Dale Hanson

Back in 1947, Dale Hanson was the luckiest kid (age 12) in Alma when a neighbor’s dad (John Metheany) decided his son was going to sing in a barbershop quartet. Dale was that lucky kid next door with the big bass voice. The Barbersharpies sang together through Junior High, High School and four years at Alma College (1958). Ken Smith, lead and sometimes director from Gratiot County was lead in that quartet. In 2003, while preparing for the Alma High School Class of ’53's 50 year Class Reunion, it was discovered that the original Barbersharpies had all moved back to the area after retiring. After many rehearsals and doing 3 gigs, and many arguements they chose to be friends rather than continue as a quartet. (They are still grumpy old men and spread from Alma, MI to the Sault Ste. Marie, ON)

At Alma College, Dale studied towards a music degree for three years. Later in life he completed an accounting degree at Central Michigan University.

 In 1961 he joined the Gratiot County Chapter and over the years held every office except secretary, settling into a long-term roll as treasurer. Early quartets he sang with were the Mello Fellows and the Ricochets, who were "also-rans" against the Auto-Towners. He directed the Mid-States-Men Chorus from 1966 until he moved north in 1970.

 During the ‘60’s, Dale was treasurer of Gittlemans, Inc., a chain of ladies wear stores throughout Michigan. In 1970 Dale accepted a position with J.B. Webb, International, and moved to northern Michigan. His assignment was to design and integrate the accounting systems at their newly acquired "Control Engineering Company" in Harbor Springs. In 1973, Dale was elected City Clerk of the City of Petoskey, a position he held through 1977 when he started his own accounting practice in Indian River, which kept him busy through 1998 when he retired. 

Also in 1970, Loton Willson, founder and director of the Boyne City Snowbelt Chorus was looking for a replacement so he could retire. Dale accepted that position and directed that chorus through 1986 and then on and off through 1994. Dale went to Harmony College in 1989 and Directors College at Kenosha in 1990 and 1991. Dale transferred his membership to  the Gaylord Chapter in 1996 when they Boyne City Chapter disbanded.

 The late 80’s and the 90’s were dedicated to District work, with three years as Area Counselor and three years as Division IV District Vice President. In 1988 Dale was "Area Counselor of the year." For most of the 90’s Dale was Hospitality Chairman for District Conventions, organizing and being the M.C. for the "Chordatorium," held at the headquarters hotel after the Saturday night competition. He also uses his accounting expertise as Pioneer District Auditor. 

Those years were also the eleven years of the "Division IV Logopedics Show" at the famous Cheboygan Opera House. Dale was a member of the committee of three with Bob Tracy and Bill Woodbeck, that put this show together each year, and coordinated the efforts of the five division chapters. This group, along with Dean Deliyanides formed the Pathfinders quartet, which had the unique distinction of knowing hundreds of tags and not one complete song. (Dean is a Captain on a Great Lakes Ship so they could only sing 3 months of the year.) 

Dale spent the 50’s and 60’s playing in a dance band, and learned to love the music of that era. He feels strongly that these songs should be included in the Society repertoire and used to attract younger singers to our hobby. He spends a lot of time writing four part a cappella arrangements of these songs.

 Dale and his wife Kathy have 5 grown children and Nine grand children. Kathy is very supportive of Dale’s Barbershopping. Knowing his dream is to sing with a quality chorus, in 2002 she encouraged him to commute the 550+ miles each week to sing with the Macomb County Guardians of Harmony, where he was the Treasurer and a dual member until the end of 2010.

With the price of Gasoline up to $4.20 per gallon, Dale has had to drop out of the Guardians of Harmony. He is in a 4 man car pool that goes to Mt. Pleasant every week where they sing with the MountainTown Singers. They are working hard to get ready for Spring Chorus Competition. He is also a non-singing member of the Macomb Guardians Of Harmony and the Gratiot County Midstatesmen where he is webmaster. Dale is Treasurer, VP Musice & Performance, Bush League Chairman and Webmaster for The Gaylord Harmonie Meisters and works with the Cheboygan Opera House putting on their annual Annual "Barbershop at the Opera House" Show.